RIP: Pat Summitt

[JavaMan]

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Tennessee coaching legend Pat Summitt dies at age 64
By Dan Fleser of the Knoxville News Sentinel

When Pat Summitt announced in August of 2011 that she had been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease, the Tennessee women's basketball coaching legend pointedly said, "It's not going to keep me from living my life."

Her public battle with the brain disease ended Tuesday when Summitt died at age 64. She is survived by her son, Tyler.


[LINK]

 

[Tonyc]

Just saw a post on the Tenn Board. No articles yet. Also on Facebook it is reported by her son Tyler. God Bless Pat and her family as well as the Tenn Lady Vols family.

 

[JavaMan]

Patricia Sue Head Summitt Obituary

June 14, 1952 - June 28, 2016

“You win in life with people.”

This is one simple statement that Patricia Sue Head Summitt embodied, lived by and passed on to so many throughout her 64 years of life. She ‘won’ every day of her life because of the relationships she developed, nurtured and cherished. Relationships with her family and friends. Relationships with players, coaches, and fans. And most importantly, a strong relationship with her Lord and Savior, .

On Tuesday, June 28 2016, Pat passed away peacefully, following a courageous battle with early onset dementia, “Alzheimer’s Type.” This disease attacked a lifetime of precious memories, memories that she has now won back as she rests in her eternal home. Memories that will live on in each and every relationship she developed throughout her life.

Born to the late-Richard and Hazel Albright Head on June 14, 1952, in Clarksville, Tenn., Pat was the fourth of five children. Her tireless work ethic was developed early in life as she handled a variety of daily chores on her family’s farm, while never missing a day of school. She worked hard to keep up with her three older brothers, who taught her the game of basketball – a game that would later become a passion and profession for her.

After graduating from Cheatham County High in Ashland City in 1970, she went on to the University of Tennessee-Martin, earning a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1974 and leading the women’s basketball team to two national championship tournaments. Her ability to be a leader on the basketball court was evident, and shortly after graduating, she accepted a position at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville as the head coach of the women’s basketball team – as a 22-year old.

For the next 38 years, the farm girl from Henrietta, Tenn. would impact the game of women’s basketball like no one in the history of the sport. She guided the Lady Vols to eight NCAA championships, 32 combined Southeastern Conference titles and became the winningest NCAA D-1 basketball coach of all time on March 22, 2005. She was named the NCAA Coach of the Year seven times and the Naismith Coach of the Century in 2000.

Pat also excelled internationally, as both a coach and player. As a player, she was a co-captain of the 1976 U.S. women’s team, earning the silver medal during the Olympic Games held in Montreal. She then went on to coach the U.S. Junior National and U.S. National teams to multiple championships and medals, culminating with a magical run as head coach of the 1984 U.S. Women’s Olympic team, leading them to the gold medal during the XXIII Olympiad in Los Angeles.

Of all the records, awards, and stats, Pat would point to one number as the most significant in her career – 161. This is the number of Lady Vols who contributed to the 1,098 wins over the span of her illustrious career. To these 161 student-athletes she was more than a coach – she was a friend, mentor and a loving mother.

Motherhood suited Pat, and on September 21, 1990, she and R.B. Summitt II had their first and only child, Ross “Tyler” Summitt. The relationship between a mother and son is a special one, and they had an unbreakable bond built on their love for God and for one another. They also shared a passion for the game of basketball, a game that would provide the two of them many unique moments and milestones, side by side.

She was most proud of one special moment they shared that outshines all the others. On May 5, 2012, Pat and Tyler were baptized together. On this day, they decided together to go public with their faith and professed their love for and acceptance of as their Lord and Savior. On this day, they created the ultimate and eternal memory, together.

Pat is survived by her mother, Hazel Albright Head; son, Ross “Tyler” Summitt (AnDe); sister, Linda; brothers, Tommy (Deloris), Charles (Mitzi) and Kenneth (Debbie).

A private service and burial for family and friends will be held in Middle Tennessee. A public service to celebrate her life will take place at Thompson-Boling Arena, on the campus of the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Details for the celebration of life will be shared at a later date.

Memorial gifts may be made to The Pat Summitt Foundation by visiting www.patsummitt.org/donate.

 

[DaddyChoc]

WOW... condolences to the family and Lady Vols Nation

 

[hoopsdiva]

Deep condolences to her family. At least she went peacefully, which with this cruel disease is the most you can hope for.

 

[Husky4Life]

R.I.P. Pat Summitt. Much respect for her and all that she has done for women's basketball. A true legend. My condolences to the family and Lady Vols nation.

 

[HuskyNan]

There's extensive coverage of Pat Summitt's life and impressive accomplishments at ESPN.

My deepest condolences to the Summitt family and VolNation.

 

[BugsyCT]

Sincere condolences to her family and Tennessee.

 

[MilliniumPrince]

Rest In Glory to a Titan.

 

[Topdawg]

Sincere condolences to the family. RIP Pat Summit. You had a profound impact on the game of Basketball and the lives of many young women.

 

[Icebear]

Yes, all of the deepest condolences to her family and friends in this loss. Alzheimer's is indeed an insidious disease which robs us of our relationship with loved ones long before they die. For people of faith as Pat was healing may not always be ours in this world but the belief is it ours in the wholeness of the life to come and that is grace for living. Rest in peace, Pat.

 

[alexrgct]

Horrible news. We've lost grit, determination, perseverance, and decency this morning. She rests peacefully with our eternal gratitude for everything she did for this sport. My heart is with Pat and the University of Tennessee.

 

[Sonny44]

Sorry to see you go Pat, but we trust you are in a far better place now.

 

[msf22b]

Much too young, much too vital
The nation has lost a great leader.
A great loss for us all.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Forever an icon. Heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.

 

[Biff]

Saw a clip of a Charlie Rose interview with a younger vibrant Pat Summitt (1998). Seeing her from that era makes this loss even more sad to me. Terrible disease. Condolences to her close friends and family.

 

[terif831]

My heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and Volnation. The loss is grievous, but may the memories and the legacy, both professional and personal, bring you deep joy and peace, and allow you to smile when you remember.

 

[CocoHusky]

An iconic woman.
A titan of women's basketball.
Taken from us way too soon, by a dreadful disease.
RIP Pat

 

[Blakeon18]

Pat Summitt, winningest coach in D1 history, dies at age 64

The link is to Carl's latest blog...with a mention of the Geno/Pat embrace at the final four in 2012.

 

[Magy Cannon]

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4 verse 7

 

[GoUconn7961]

Rest in Peace Pat Summit. My deepest sympathies to your family and all of Vol Nation.

She changed the face of the woman's game, and for that we'll forever be in her debt.

 

[Ozimoto]

Women's basketball has lost a giant of the game.

 

[Blakeon18]

I would not be a bit surprised if in 2017-2018 UConn and LadyVol played each other [maybe in MSG?] in a game to raise funds for research. This coming season is too close at hand.

 

[meyers7]

RIP Pat. Condolences to her family and friends. A great loss for WBB.

 

[Plebe]

Pat Summitt had an uncanny ability to bring out the best in people, not only in those close to her and her program, but also in her fiercest rivals.

May the memory of Pat continue to bring out the best in all of us.